Archie Vaughan’s maiden List A century was the highlight as Somerset confidently advanced to the knock-out stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Northamptonshire at Taunton.
Northamptonshire elected to bat first and posted a competitive total of 238 all out. Tim Robinson top-scored with 69 runs, supported by James Sales, who contributed 45, and Justin Broad with 38. Somerset’s Kasey Aldridge was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for 54 runs.
An early shower reduced the match to 47 overs per side, with Somerset’s target increased by one run to 239. Undeterred, Somerset chased down the total comfortably, reaching 240 for two with 4.3 overs remaining.
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Vaughan led the chase with an unbeaten 109 runs off 122 balls, sharing a crucial first-wicket partnership of 168 runs with Tom Lammonby, who scored 83. Lammonby reached his half-century with a powerful back-foot shot through the leg side, hitting nine boundaries off 53 balls. Vaughan matched his partner’s steady progress, reaching his 50 off 60 deliveries with six fours.
Their 168-run opening stand was the highest-ever List A opening partnership for Somerset against Northamptonshire. The partnership ended when Lammonby was caught driving a return catch to Stuart van der Merwe after adding 13 more runs. Vaughan, however, stayed firm and celebrated his century decisively.
Looking ahead, Somerset will host Gloucestershire in the quarter-finals on Thursday, with the winner progressing to face Worcestershire in the semi-finals on Sunday. The other side of the draw features Hampshire hosting Warwickshire, with the victor facing Yorkshire.